When the X3 dries up, there'll still be a BMW trucklet for the Austrian assembly and engineering firm to bolt together. BMW's MINI brand has been reportedly getting an SAV (BMW parlance for CUV) for a while now, and that prospect looks like it's inching toward reality. Affixing the MINI badge to the pumped-up Clubman (see gallery below) might create a rolling misnomer, but that's supposedly the plan. Code named "Colorado", the ruggedized and raised MINI will be equipped with AWD calibrated for traction rather than performance. We'll wait to pass judgement on the styling while hoping that it doesn't look like the fanciful rendering at right (click here to see full view). Ugly or cute, if Magna Steyr hits its target, it'll be pumping out a targeted 80,000 of these things per year, starting in 2010. [Source: Motoring File]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Richard @ Oct 10th 2007 9:04AM
Honest to God!
The guys who designed the AMC Eagle must be shooting themselves for not being able to wait the 30 years for the world to catch up!
Doogs @ Oct 10th 2007 9:10AM
I don't think it's a misnomer at all.
The wife and I have a baby on the way, and since wagons are anathema to her, we're looking to trade in her Mustang for a small, fuel efficient SUV of some sort.
Let me tell you, it's not easy. You may as well go with an Acura MDX for the gas mileage the RDX gets. Same with the Mazda CX-7 and CX-9. And you wonder why the new CR-V (which we've settled on) is selling like gangbusters these days.
There's definitely a hole here, and I think Mini is in a pretty good place to exploit it. A small, fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive crossover? Yes, please.
Just so long as it doesn't look like that FJ Cruiser-inspired monstrosity.
Joe K. @ Oct 10th 2007 10:54AM
Have you considered the 270-hp Rav4 that gets 28 mpg. Plus it's cheaper than the Acura. I mean i know there has been a stigma to the Rav that its a chick car, but a Mini-Ute prolly would carry similar, plus the Rav is cavernous compared to a lot of SUVs in its class. Not trying to sell it to you, but my good friend loves his.
Doogs @ Oct 10th 2007 11:05AM
Joe - I have not.
Toyota makes some fine vehicles, but I personally can't stand them. If I wanted absolutely no resistance or feedback in the steering, I'd play Pole Position.
Justin @ Oct 10th 2007 1:25PM
so you want something with space that is fuel efficient and sporty to drive? And why again is a wagon out of the question compared to a jacked up "crossover"?
Doogs @ Oct 10th 2007 1:30PM
Justin - read my comment again. Wagons are anathema to the wife, not to me. Though I personally prefer the abbreviated wagon/5-door look a la the Mazda3 or Audi A3 to more traditional wagons.
simianspeedster @ Oct 10th 2007 4:18PM
Doogs,
No offense, but this is what happens when people place style over substance and it's also an example of how frustrating it must be to design cars for Americans today.
Even though a smallish, fuel efficient wagon makes the most sense, your wife has some hangup about them, so you desire an alternate form of car which is almost as good, but ultimately makes less sense. Absent the hangup, a Mazda 3 or 6 wagon, Jetta Wagon, Audi A3 or Saab 9-3 SportWagon are all good choices.
I know people are free to think and buy what they want, but the fact that Mini has to bastardize their brand to make a "tweener" car like this to appease the style over substance crowd simply annoys me.
-SimianSpeedster
Justin @ Oct 10th 2007 4:27PM
Doogs, I know its your wife that has the hangup, I'm just saying you should try to re-persuade her. Sorry for the miscommunication.
carguy @ Oct 10th 2007 9:18AM
The death of the Mini brand by over extension. The concept of the SUVs and Mini brand values are not compatible. How about just fixing the X3 or creating an X1?
Menice @ Oct 10th 2007 9:31AM
i would expect the Noneck familys around the usa will be very happy without all the excess head room.
nice ride though, that would sell.
Menice @ Oct 10th 2007 9:32AM
familIES (dang it)
Calebe @ Oct 10th 2007 9:34AM
Unbelievable. BMW is going to ruin the company.
Doogs @ Oct 10th 2007 11:03AM
Give me a friggin' break!
How many times has BMW been accused of ruining the brand - either theirs or Mini's?
- 1999 with the X5 (BMW shouldn't be building SUVs, blah blah)
- 2002 with the Mini (b..but it's German now!)
- 2004 with the 1-Series (BMW is diluting/cheapening the brand!)
I still stand by the assertion that - DONE PROPERLY - a Mini-branded crossover is a fine idea.
SAM @ Oct 18th 2007 10:57AM
Doogs: I agree with you. Especially considering that BMW almost always does the job properly
Caleb: BMW save MINI from extinction!
cly @ Oct 10th 2007 9:41AM
Thank god a post not about Nissan and Toyota. Frankly I'm sick of refreshing the site to see Nissan and Toyota. Can't they all be rolled up into one single post? Unless you guys have been suckered into providing publicity stunt for Nissan and Toyota every hour.
DesiAuto @ Oct 10th 2007 9:53AM
That's looks horrible, something out of "honey I blew up the kid" world.
In any case, a reques to AB gods: whenever there is an auto show somewhere in the world, you guys go nuts ((understandbly)) and start posting about every new vehicle you see there on the main page. This disrupts the flow of regular articles.
Like breaking news and features stories, can you have temp section for the current auto show and update that section rather than the main page.
Rollolo @ Oct 10th 2007 10:09AM
The picture isn't official, it is a "rendered speculation"...
Rollolo @ Oct 10th 2007 10:10AM
The picture isn't official, it is a "rendered speculation"...
toronado455 @ Oct 11th 2007 2:49AM
Honey, I blew up the MINI!
Daniel @ Oct 10th 2007 10:35AM
It looks like a bass with wheels...